Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
468. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice the action her Department is taking in conjunction with An Garda Síochána to reduce waiting times for an appointment for the first registration and renewal of immigration residence permissions for non-EU/EEA/UK nationals residing in Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9957/24]
View answerAn Garda Síochána has oversight of the first registration and renewal of immigration residence permissions for persons residing outside of the Dublin area. I have no role in regard to the scheduling of these appointments. The waiting time for appointments outside of Dublin is dependent on the demand for registrations in each office, and fluctuates based on seasonal demands and other variations.
My Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering immigration permissions for persons residing in the Dublin area only.
The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (COFPI) recommended that immigration administrative functions should transfer from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) to the Department of Justice. My Department and An Garda Síochána have engaged intensively on the scope of immigration operations to transfer to the Department and a roadmap outlining the functions for transfer is being developed. This will set out the timeline for transfer of work relating to the nationwide registration and renewal (outside of Dublin) of residence permission and the renewal of such permission from An Garda Síochána to the Registration Office of my Department.
